Türkiye’s hunger threshold surpasses minimum wage, again

The hunger threshold in Türkiye has once again surpassed the minimum wage – which is
₺17,002.12 ($522) after taxes and deductions.

According to the latest report from the Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Turk-Is), the hunger threshold has climbed to ₺19,271, while the minimum wage remains below this critical level.

What is hunger, poverty thresholds in Türkiye?

• Hunger threshold: In August 2024, the hunger threshold increased to
  ₺19,271, with a modest 0.19% increase because of minor hikes in basic food prices.
• Poverty threshold: The poverty threshold rose to ₺62,772 in August 2024, according to Turk-Is.

• Cost of living: The monthly living cost for a single worker has escalated to ₺24,962, highlighting the growing financial pressure on individuals.

How much have food prices increased in Türkiye?

• Overall pricing: The average price for vegetables was set at 29.56 TL/kg, and for fruits at 60.83 TL/kg, leading to an average of 42.50 TL/kg for fruits and vegetables combined.
• High increases: Red meat and dairy saw significant price hikes, with lamb rising by 36.99% and cheese by 26.53%. The fish market also experienced a ₺24 rise in prices for popular varieties like sea bass and salmon.
• Essential foods: Over the past eight months, essential food items saw significant price hikes, with green lentils up by 20.59%, red lentils by 24.03%, and yogurt by 24.98%.
• Stability: Certain essentials such as bread and grains remained stable, though slight fluctuations were noted in products like sunflower oil – which rose by 4.49%.
• Seasonal influence: The expected seasonal drop in vegetable prices was only partially observed, with some items like tomatoes and cucumbers decreasing, while others like green beans remained stable.
• Minimal changes: Products like basic oils, spices, and sugar mostly held steady, with slight increases in items like tea, which saw a cumulative 19.87% rise over the last two months.

What is ‘kitchen inflation’?

TURK-IS highlighted that the steady rise in food prices continues to contribute significantly to overall inflation, with “kitchen inflation.”

The August data shows a slight 0.19% increase in the minimum food expenditure for a family of four in Ankara, compared to July.

However, over the last 12 months, food inflation has skyrocketed by 57.99%, with a cumulative increase of 77.66% since the beginning of the year.

The overall trend indicates while price hikes have slowed in the past three months, they remain a persistent issue, with the cost of living continuing to outpace wage growth.